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RALPH CAHOON
Oceanside
Family Outing
Featuring his
Hallmark Mermaids!
Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Signed lower right: R. Cahoon, 1979. Oil on Masonite.
Commissioned by the J.S. Harmon Family.
Ralph Cahoon (1910-1982) is celebrated as one of America's most beloved folk art painters, renowned for his vibrant and whimsical depictions of life in nineteenth-century coastal New England settings. His iconic artworks are highly coveted by both antique and contemporary collectors alike.
In this enchanting family scene, a majestic whale.....
Superior
Tiny Ash Burl Bowl
Northeast, ca. 1800.
Ash burl slow-lathe turned, the tool marks readily apparent. Very well developed with crisply stepped foot. Rich color and patina, and smoothly burnished from frequent handling. No sign of knife marks, and although it could have been used for many purposes, a likely use was to moisten fingers with water during the countless hours using a spinning wheel.
Exceptional condition. About 4 inches diameter x 1 5/8 tall.
Little PAINTED
Country Cupboard
For Hanging or Tabletop
.....SOLD
New England, ca. 1820-1840.
Appears to be pine. Dry very crusty paint decoration over red ground. Six light glazed-door opens to four precisely dovetailed drawers over two open rows. Given the lock, it is likely that this cupboard held, at least in part, valuable spices. Crisply, robustly made by a skilled cabinetmaker. The glass dividers (mullions) are particularly finely molded. Sits easily on a desk or table or can be hung from two small holes in the backboard.
Structurally superb condition, wear to painted surface, particularly on upper right side of the case. About 16 ½ inches tall x 10 wide x 8 1/2 deep.
Carrier in Delightful
Blue Paint
Boldly Pierced Heart
.....SOLD
Northeast, ca. mid 19th century. Beautiful 19th century working period robin’s egg blue paint over first light green paint on white pine. Cut nail joinery.
Canted sides with middle divider with dynamic movement from a scrolled wave-like top centered by a large heart. The combination of the impactful blue paint and pierced heart elevate a common form to an exceptional example.
Excellent condition, robustly made and still tight, with burnished wear from years of use. About 13 ¾ inches long x 9 3/8 deep x 7 tall. .
RARE EARLY TABLETOP
LIGHTING STAND
IN BLUE PAINT
.....SOLD
Probably New England, possibly Mid-Atlantic, ca. late 18th/early 19th century.
Blue paint on maple and pine. Rarity enhanced by the unusual twin-candlearms holding 4 tinned-sheet iron candle cups, the cups pressure-fitted within receiving holes in the arms. The thread-turned column supported by a stepped base, the column joined to the base by a wedged square tenon. The candlearms visually lightened by tapering from the column to the edge.
Made to raise and lower candle height from a table or chest, the height to the top of the column just 18 1/4 inches, the base about 8 inches square.
Having 4 candle cups in this period was quite the extravagance given that every candle had to be hand made, and therefore scarce and expensive.
Terrific structural condition, period wear to paint as expected. Early American painted lighting devices of this caliber are seldom found, let alone in blue paint.
A Fine and Rare
Family Record
.....SOLD
Massachusetts, probably Boston area, signed lower right by the artist, Thomas Johnston, dated 1810.
Watercolor and ink on laid paper.
Compositionally rich, embellished with intricate borders, highlighted by the beautiful panel showing what is likely the family home, supporting roundels celebrating the marriage of Samuel Tenny (b. 1764) and Elizabeth Merrill (b. 1766) and the birth dates of their children. Research indicates that they were a Massachusetts family.
The artist, Thomas Johnston, was likely the grandson of famed colonial craftsman Thomas Johnston (1708-1767--an ornamental painter to the elite of Boston--a decorator, japanner, engraver, painter of coats of arms, and much more). His children worked in his shop and learned his skills, passing those learnings to their children.
Terrific condition. Light toning. Long ago glued down to card and period frame backboard replaced. Frame probably original, frame size about 13 ½ inches x 11 ½. Long time Maine collection from Pam Boynton.
Beautiful Small
Profile Portrait
Young Woman
Seated in a Chair
.....SOLD
Northeast, possibly Pennsylvania, ca 1820.
Oil on Wooden Panel.
The attractive, confident, and relaxed young woman rendered half-length, elaborately dressed with lace collar and shawl, holding a book in her left hand (to communicate that she was literate) while seated in a paint-decorated thumb back Windsor chair.
There is a warmth and sophistication to this portrait. Her face shows just the right color-tone and softness, and her well-developed hand with slender fingers balances the color of her face.
Presented in a period black-over-red grained-painted frame that is likely original, the surface and patina of which works synergistically with the portrait. Minor touchup. Frame about 10 5/8 inches x 8 5/8. From a long-time private Maine collection..
Brilliant Folk Art
Hooked Rug
Probably Northeast,
Civil War period
ca. 1860-1870.
.....sale pending
Wools and cottons.
Clearly the maker loved flowers. Fortunately for us she also had the vision and the skill to transform that love into art. Not formulaic like so many, but unique, from her own imagination. She used fragments of repurposed materials, likely scraps from worn-out clothing or discarded by weaving mills. The result is a folk art triumph with timeless elegance that also fits a simple modern aesthetic, making it a perfect fit for both historic or contemporary homes.
I can’t adequately describe what she created better than your own eyes can see, so I will not try.
Professionally mounted and ready to hang. About 53 inches tall x 32 wide. This authentic antique folk art thriller will transform your room , as it did mine, with boldness, color, and a soft texture. .
Boldly Painted Pair
Leather Fire Buckets
Signed by the Maker!
& Rarely Found BAG.
.....SOLD
Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1807.
Oil on leather.
Red rimmed, the fronts with spread wing eagles clutching olive branches and arrows above banners reading "JEFFERSON FIRE SOCIETY", the name "S. S. SWEETSER," and dated "1807, " the backs painted "CHARLESTOWN" vertically along the sewn seam.
Accompanying the buckets is a draw string canvas bag which would have been used to carry precious possessions from the fire. Very early in their life, the buckets and the bag were transferred from one owner to another, and just the names on each were updated to that of the new owner.
Each bucket intaglio impressed:
S. S. RAYMOND
MAKER
CHARLESTOWN
.....MORE